Sheffield catering supplier steps up presence

A budding tableware and light equipment firm will take on its fourth employee next week as it bids to continue its expansion in its second year of trading.

Sheffield-based Chefs Tableware confirmed that Paul Barnes will join the company as its UK sales manager on Monday. Barnes is currently national account manager for healthcare, education and the MOD at British tableware and fine china manufacturer Dudson.

Chefs Tableware’s purchasing director, Tara Proctor, said it was looking forward to welcoming Barnes on board.

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“We started the business in September 2013, so we’ve been going about 15 months now and we are really pleased with the progress. We have taken on Paul to manage the UK sales as we want to increase our presence and get out there in the market a bit more.”

The company operates two online shops: Chefs Tableware, which features a range of products it has designed and sourced itself; and Chefs Tableware Shop, which includes third party ranges that it distributes.

Chefs Tableware has racked up a number of key customers since its launch, including leading restaurants and even the Royal Albert Hall. The company has also been accepted into buying group Cedabond.

Proctor said the appointment of a national sales manager was part of “taking the next step” in its business plan after it recently moved to larger office and warehousing premises.

Chefs Tableware was actually one of Barnes’ customers at Dudson, but Proctor insists his decision to switch companies has not lead to any fall-out. She said the firm is instead looking forward to growing the volume of business it does with Dudson this year.

The founders of Chefs Tableware also own a boutique hotel and restaurant, which is what led them to form the business in the first place. They said they decided to take action after becoming frustrated with the lack of reasonably-priced, interesting and innovative restaurant tableware on offer.

The company personally researches and sources pieces direct from the manufacturer in order to offer the latest designs at prices customers can afford.

It also claims to have the added benefit of being able to use and test its products in its own kitchens to ensure quality and durability in a commercial environment.